Officials remain committed to keeping New Columbia safe, Portland police representatives assured more than 100 people gathered Wednesday evening less than a block from where an 18-year-old was killed early Monday.

New North Precinct Cmdr. Mike Leloff said an officer heard shots and responded immediately.

"I hear your anger and I understand your anger," he said. "We're doing the best we can."

Leloff, along with other community and city officials, answered questions during a community meeting in the wake of Shalamar Edmond's death.

Across the street from Leloff, Edmond's friends and family kept vigil at the spot he was gunned down, now marked with red roses and white candles.

"We're always out here," Niecy Hall said. "We're a community."

New Columbia community meetingNorth Precinct officers and members of the New Columbia community in north Portland talk about their concerns over the violence in their area.

Inside the New Columbia Community Education Center, 4625 N. Trenton St., residents shared a moment of silence for the slain teen. Then more than 15 people raised their concerns about violence in the neighborhood.

"We need some help," said Lionel Scott, who lives in New Columbia. "Are you going to be here next week? The week after? These are African American children being murdered."

Antoinette Edwards, Mayor Sam Adams' director of public safety, said the city has long been committed to New Columbia.

One longtime resident said getting to know the community has persuaded her to stay, despite outbreaks of violence.

"Twenty-three years ago, it started with a drive-by shooting," said Luvenia Jackson, who's lived in the neighborhood since then. "It's like, when is it ever going to stop?"

View full sizeBrian Feulner/The OregonianTerrance Williams (left), the 28-year-old brother of slain Shalamar Edmond, talks with Leroy (center) and David Jones outside a memorial in the New Columbia area.

Community involvement is key to keeping the neighborhood safe, Leloff said. Several officials assured the crowd that callers can remain anonymous when they report a crime or any suspicious behavior.

Prompted by several residents, one of the neighborhood's four assigned officers said they could begin patrolling the area past midnight, when their current shift is scheduled to end.

Edmond's mother, Marsha Roach, said he spent 10 months last year in a juvenile detention facility for assault and robbery convictions. He had been affiliated with a gang before he was jailed but was determined to put that behind him after his November release.

His 28-year-old brother, Terrance Williams, stood in the park near Edmond's memorial.